Car-coupling



(No MOaei.) 4 sheets-sheet 1. YM. J. LORRAINE 8v P. P. WHERRY.

GAR GOUPLING.

v(NoMo-del.)

, M. J. LORRAINE 8v F. P. WHERRY.

GAR GOUPLING..

4 sheets-sheen 28.

No. 418,576. Patented Dec. 31, 1889.

.uw i

- Fig- 'y .j E,

'c2' d mmm. Ik

c.l a ci,

272 vena 73?.'

(Ne Medel.) 4 sheets-sheen 3..

M'. J. .LORRAINE 8v F. PQWHERRY.

' GAR GOUPLING.

No. 418,576. Peteeted Dee. 31, 1.889..

` l 2Q l cl---I FQQ'J'Z B i' g I,\\|u I i Mem/07S:

, @Mwave 4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

M. J.' LORRAINE 8v F. P. W'HERRY GAR GOUPLING.

Patented 1390.31, 1889.

and opened; Fig. 3, a vertical longitudinalV YUNITED "rArns ATENT FFICE.

MADISON J. LORRAINE AND FRANKLIN P.l WHERRY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI,v

ASSIGNORS TO ,THE KE'YSTONE OAR CO-UPLER COMPANY, OF ILLINOIS.

CAR-COUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters V:Patent No. 418,576, dated December 31, 1889.

serai No. 315,413. (No moda.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern: A

Be it known that we, MADISON J. LORRAINE and FRANKLIN P. WHERRY, of St. Louis, Missouri, have jointly made a new and useful Improvement in Oar-Couplings, of which the following is a full,v clear, and exact description.

The improvement relates to pivoted-hook car-couplings, and more especially to the locking mechanism thereof.

Other features of the improved-construction are the means for cushioning the hook afte'r it is closed and the means for more effectually closing at` the upper end thereof the joint between the draw-head and the hook, the means by which the hook of the opposing coupling part is prevented from getting in the rear of the inner arm of the hook, the means for closing the hook-recess in the draw-head when the hook is opened, and the improved unlocking mechanism, all substantially as is hereinafter set forth and claimed, aided by the annexed drawings, making part of this specication, in which-- Figure l is a plan, partly in section, of the improved coupling, the hook being closed, but not locked; Fig. 2, a horizontal section on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3, the hook being unlocked section on the'line 3 3 of Fig. 1 Fig. 4, a vertical section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 1, the lock being dropped to engage with the shoulders within thedraw-head. The dotted lines indicate the position of the lock when the hook is opened. The direction of the view is indicated by the arrow in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the hook, looking in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 7; Fig. 6, a horizontal section of the draw-head on the line 6 6 of Fig. 8; Fig. 7, a plan of the hook and lock, the lock being properly presented to the hook, but detached therefrom; Fig. 8, a vertical section of the draw-head on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6; Fig. 9, a side elevation of the lock; Fig. 10, a view in perspective of the lock; Fig. 11, an elevation of the hook from the outer side thereof. The view includes the lock. Fig. 12 shows the front end elevation of the coupling opened. Fig. 13 is a vertical section of the draw-head on the line 13 14 of Fig. 2, and Fig. 14 is a vertical sect-ion of the hook on the line 13 14 of Fig. 2. The View includes the lock in elevation. y

The same letters of reference denote the same parts. This improved coupling is composed, mainly, ofthe following parts: the drawhead A, the hook B, the lock C, for fastening the hook in its closed position, the lever D, for lifting the lock when it is desired to open `the hook, and the spring-buffer E, for cushioning the hook after it is closed-that is, these parts, respectively constructed substantially as is hereinafter set forth and shown, when assembled, constitute the coupling in its most complete form. Of these parts the spring-buffer, while a very desirable element in many varieties of pivoted-hook car-couplings and of especial value in the present construction, is not essential to the working of the other enumerated parts, and the lock can be used to secure the hook in its closedy position irrespective of any particular means for adjusting the lock so as to release the hook. Further, the coupling, saving as it is modified or supplemented by the improvement under consideration, may be of any of the ordinary forms of pivoted-hook car-couplings so long as those forms permit of the embodiment therein of the improvement. The preferred forms are exhibited in the drawings. The hook is pivoted to the draw-head by journaling it upon the bearings a a, Fig. 3, of the draw-head, and so that the hook can be swung around into its closed position (shown in Fig. 1) or into its opened position. (Shown in Fig. 2.) f

The general contour of the coupling, when the hook is closed, is, as seen in Fig. l, preferably in accordance with the Master Oar Builders Standard. A desirable feature, however, of the construction is the relation of the inner arm b of the hook to the draw-head in all positions of the hook. The draw-head and the hook are so constructed and combined that the hook-arm b is always within the 4draw-head. Even when the hook is opened, as in Fig. 2, the arm -b does not project in front of the face a of the draw-head, and in consequence of this arrangement the hook of IOO the opposing coupling cannot and does not encounter the hook-arm l) as the cars come together. The opposing hook therefore can neither injure the arm h by striking it nor displace it by passing to the rear thereof. The preferable arrangement ot all in the respect under consideration is to have the outer face b ot' the hook-arm l) come, when the hook is opened, substantially tlush with the face e of the draw-head, as thereby the hook-arm b serves, when the hook is opened, to substantially close the entrance to the recess a2 in the draw-head, in which the hook arm Z) works, and thus to practically exclude anything calculated to interfere with the working of the hoolearm or lock.

Another feature of the construction is the means for locking the hook when closed. The hook-arm b is provided with a part termed herein the lock7 C, which in the movement of the hook travels with the hookarm h, and this lock, the hook-arm, and the draw-head are all so relatively contrived that when the hook has been closed the lock moves,I or can be moved, so as to cause the hook-arm to become interlocked with some fixed part of the draw-head, and thus for the time being secure the hook in its closed position, and to release the hook, so that it can be opened, the lock must be moved back again into its original position, after which the hook can be turned on its pivot, and as it is turned the lock is carried along with the hook-arm l) toward ,the entrance to the re-k cess {t2-that is, the lock is always in engagement with the hoolcarm h, and when the hook is closed the lock is also in engagement with the draw-head; but when the hook is not closed the lock is in engagement with the hook-arm only, saving at the outer end of the hook-arm movement, as hereinafter described. As the most desirable mode of effecting this engagement of the hook-arm with the draw-head the following construction is adopted: The hook-arm l) is notched vertically at b2, Figs. l, 2, and 7, to receive the lock C, which is shown in Figs. l, :2, 3, and 4, but more distinctly in Figs. 9 an d l0. The end c of the lock enters the notch b2, and the opposite end of the lock consists of the projections c c2, separated by the notch c3. The lock can be raised and lowered in the notch b2. The projections c c2 eoact, respectively, with the shoulders a3 a* upon the draw-head, to which end the draw-head is so constructed and the shoulders so arranged that a space a5, Figs. l, 2, 3, et, and 6, is provided in the draw-head, in which the lock can be adjusted vertically when the hook is in its closed position. When the hook is in its closed position, Fig. l, the lock, owing to its gravity, drops in thc notch Wand space a5, and the projections c e2 are thereby respectively brought more or less into the planes, respectively, of the shoulders a3 ai, Fig. 4, and the hook becomes locked. To open the hook, the lock is raised in the space a5 and notch b2 until the lower projection c is above the level of the lower shoulder as and the upper projection c2 is above the level of the upper shoulder a4, Fig. 3. The hook can now be turned on its pivot, and as the hook opens the lock rides upon the lower shoulder e3, which is extended, as shown in Fig. G, sufiiciently to support the lock, even when the hook is fully opened. As the lock is thus carried along with the hook-arm h the upper shoulder comes in the notch c3 between the projections c c2 ot the lock. W'hen the hook is fully opened, the lock projections encounter the shoulder of', Figs. 2 and (5, upon the draw-head, and the hook is thereby prevented from turning farther around on its pivot and the hook-arm b from projecting outward in front of the draw-head. W'hen the hook is being closed, the lock rides upon the shoulder a" until the space a is reached, when it drops again, as described. XVe desire not to be restricted to this particular mode of constructing and operating the lock, so that it shall, when the hook is closed, come into engagement with some iixed shoulder upon the drawwhead, so long as the lock is made to travel with the hook-arm b in the movement of that part and to be shifted at the inner terminus of said movement to engage with both the draw-head and the hook-arm, for the purpose set forth. Nor, so far as a traveling and adjustable lock is concerned, do we wish to be restricted to a pivotcd hook whose inner arm I) does not, when the hook is opened, yproject in trout of the draw-head. When the lock is raised, it projects above the hook-arm, forming a horizontal shoulder om, which is designed to strike against a corresponding horizontal shoulder am, Fig. 13, at the mouth of the drawhead when the hook is fully opened. A vertical shoulder a6, Figs. 2, G, and 13, is also constructed at the mouth of the drawhead, extending downward from the horizontal shoulder c1", Fig. ll. This vertical shoulder is adapted to receive that part of the lock which projects beyond the rear face of the hook-arm. The two shoulders am a" thus act together upon the lock and form a perfect obstacle to the further opening of the hook.

The preferable means for raising the lock when it is desired to open the hook is the lever D, Figs. l and 3. This lever is pivotcd to the draw-head at d, and its movement is indicated by the broken lines, Fig. 3. It is provided with a projection d', which extends upward through an opening d2 in the bottom ot the draw-head recess a2 to enter the space ai. lVhen the lock drops, as described, in said space a, it rests upon the top of the proj ect-ion (l, and by upturning the lever D the lock can be raised to clear the draw-head shoulders, as described. rlhe upper end d3 of the projection d is widened, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, to project laterally above the ledges d* of the draw-head, and thus prevent the projection d and lever D from dropping, so as to disengage the projection d from the opening (Z2 when the lever D is released. The

OO J

IOO

lever D is preferably made to ride free upon any lever which may be attached to the carbody (not shown) for the purpose of operating the lever D from the side or top of the ear.

Thel spring-buffer E is not designed for cushioning the hook-arm b as the hook is being closed, nor for turning or assisting to turn the hook outward when it is desired to open the hook. Its sole funetionis to provide an elastic wall or lshoulder in the place of a rigid one for the hook-arm to Work against after the coupling has been effected. The hook arm does not necessarily press against the buffer after the hook is closed and locked; but in case the hook is jammed against the opposing hook or any obstruction to cause its arm b to be moved inward beyond its locking-point it encounters a yielding abutment, and is thus kept from breaking.

The lock is Vin practice introduced into the recess in the draw-head through an opening F, Fig. 4, in the top of the draw-head. The opening is then closed by means of a removable cover f. There is no other opening in the top of the draw-head, and as the hooliarm b or the hook of the opposing coupling protects the front of the draw-head the recess in the draw-head, in which the hook-arm b works, is practically guarded against the entrance of dirt or moisture.. By introducing a thrust-pin upward through the perforation f2, Figs. 2 and 4E, in the shoulder d3, which in practice constitutes the bottom of the recess d5, the lock and cover f can be raised out of the draw-head. l

I represents a hood projecting from the upper surface of the upper ear of the drawhead. It serves, when the hook is opened, to prevent the entrance of dirt and moisture between the two shoulders K and L on the draw-head and hook, respectively.

A locking piece divided horizontally into sections will not answer our purpose. In the working. of a car-coupling such a lockingpiece fails to hold the hook in place.V The locking-piece must be a rigid part, bearing,

when the hook is locked, against the drawhead both above and beneath the eenter,ver tically considered, of the hook-arm, and thereby preventing the hook-arm from canting.

We claiml. The combination of the draw-head, the pivoted hook, and the jointless rigid lock, said lock traveling with the hookearm and by bearing against the draw-head both above andbeneath the center of the hook-arm interlocking the hook-arm and the draw-head when the hook is closed, as described.

2. The combination of the draw-head, the' pivoted hook, and the j ointless rigid lock, said lock traveling with the hook-arm and by bearing against the draw-head both above and beneath the center of the hook-arm interlocking the hook-arm and draw-head both when the hook is closed and when itis opened, as described.

'3. The combination of the draw-head, pivoted hook, and the lock, said lock traveling with the hook-arm and projecting rearwardly beyond the end thereof, and said projection interlocking the hook-arm and draw-head when the hook is closed.

4. The combination of the draw-head, the pivoted hook, and the jointless rigid lock traveling with and adjustable upon the inner arm of said hook, said draw-head having a space to admit a portion of said lock when said hook is closed, and also having a shoulder against which said lock portion cornes when adjusted upon said hook-arm, as described.

5. The combination, in a car-coupling, of the hoolbarm and the lock, said hook-arm being slotted, and said lock being adjustable in `said slot, for the purpose described.

6. The combination of the draw-head, the pivoted hook, the jointless rigid lock traveling with and adjustable upon the inner arm of said hoolgand the lock-moving lever, substantially as described.

7. The combination of the draw-head, the pivoted hook, and the spiral-spring butter, said buffer being incased within the drawhead in the path of the backward movement of the hook-arm, and being arranged, as described, to enable said hook to be locked before its inner arm encounters the buffer, and said draw-head and hook near the point where the hook is pivoted having shoulders K L to limit the inner rotary movement of the hook beyond the point it is desired to compress the spring, thus preventing the spring and the draw-head from breaking, as described.

8. The combination of the draw-head, the

pivoted hook having the slotted inner arm,

andthe lock notched as described and traveling with and adjustably held in said inner arm, said draw-head being recessed to. admit said inner arm and a portion of said lock, and having the shoulders for said lock portion to come against when said hook is closed, as described.

9. The combination of the draw-head, the pivoted hook having the slotted inner arm, and the adjustable lock traveling with said inner arm, said draw-head having the shoulder d3 for said lock to encounter and also to ride upon, as described.

10. The combination of the draw-head and the pivoted hook, said draw-head at the point at which said hook ispivoted having shoulders to limit the inward rotary movement of said hook, and also having a protecting-hood, substantially as described. l

11. The combination of the draw-head, the pivoted hook, and the lock traveling with and adjustable upon the inner arm of said hook, said draw-'head having a space to allow a further inward movement of said lock when said hook is closed, and also'having a shoulder against which said lock portion comes when adj usted upon said hook-arm, as described.

12. The combination of the draw-head, the pivoted hook, the lock traveling with and ad- IOO j ustable upon the inner arm of said hook, and the lock-moving lever inovably attached at one end to the draw-head, Said lever having a stem whose upper end has a widened head, and said stem working in a perforation in the bottom of the draw-head, and said head Supported upon ledges therein, substantially as described.

13. The combination of the draw-head, pivoted hook, and lock, said lock, when the hook is unlocked, projecting both above and rearwardly beyond the inner arm of said hook for the purpose of interlocking the hook-arm and draw-head when the hook is open and preventing the further outward movement of the hook-arm, as described.

14. The combination of the draw-head, the pivoted hook, the lock, and the lock-moving lever, said lever having a stein with the upper end having a head, said stem Working in MADISON J. LORRAINE. FRANKLIN P. VVIIERRY.

Witnesses:

C. D. MOODY, D. W. C. SANFORD. 

